Officers are appealing for information, and urging people to fully secure their homes, after an elderly lady was assaulted by a burglar in Mackworth.

The resident of Greenland Avenue only briefly exited her home to collect bins between 2.15pm and 2.30pm on Tuesday, August 15, but it was ample time for a man to gain entry via the unsecured side door.

Upon walking upstairs, the lady was confronted by the man who demanded money from her several times.

The man then shoved the lady, causing her to fall and suffer a bang to the head for which she was hospitalised.

The burglar ran out of the house, lifting a set of keys and a quantity of cash as he left.

He is described as white, aged around 35, 5 foot 11in, clean shaven, potentially with a tanned complexion and wearing a black hoody with the hood up.

PC Daniel Goodman said: “As well as her injuries, the victim was understandably left badly shaken by her ordeal. It’s important that we apprehend this offender to protect people he may target in future.

“We are keen to speak to anybody that saw this man, or witnessed anything suspicious, around Greenland Avenue that afternoon to come forward.

“The stolen keys featured a distinctive, wooden, rectangular keyring with the words ‘Nana’s Keys’ burnt into the wood. Perhaps someone has seen a keyring of this nature and - having read this appeal – now feel that it’s worthy of reporting?

“This incident also highlights just how dangerous leaving your home unsecured in any way, even for a few seconds, can be. Please lock doors behind you and remain as aware as possible of your surroundings.”

If you witnessed anything suspicious, or have any information, please contact PC Daniel Goodman on 101 quoting reference 17000349295.

Alternatively, send him a message online by visiting the Contact Us section of our website www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.

A few of us from St Alkmunds church family are spending our bank holiday Sunday (27 Aug) helping a six streets neighbour Jim with his overgrown back garden. Many of us locals are aware that Jim has been patiently tidying up our local streets of rubbish for many years, showing us all kindness. We thought it would be good to return the favour and help him out.

Jim is getting some help with repairs to his house from Derby City Council, and recently a team of volunteer DIY blokes called 'Shoulder to Shoulder' have cleared his garden of brambles, rubbish and weeds. So as friendly neighbours we thought that we would help with putting down some gravel and easy to maintain shrubs. I have offfered this to Jim, who welcomes our help.

Anyone is welcome to join us with some light gardening duties and a bit of digging/wheel barrowing. Meet at 137 Kedleston Rd at 10am. If you can bring some gardening equipment then that would help too: a spade, wheelbarrow, trowel, bucket, gloves, etc.

We thought that we would work through to 1pm, then open our house for everyone to come back and share lunch together. So you are also welcome to join us at 137 Kedleston Rd (bring a favourite filling for baked potatoes, or a pudding, or a drink).

Just so you all know ked road off Statham has had people in gardens last night breaking into sheds.. so lock up those passageways!

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And a very alarming post from Kat on Statham St who says

Hi.

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We live at number 17. Someone has tried to burn our garden shed down. We had our bikes in there. Luckily they were well locked up so they are still there! Has anyone else had anything happen like this last night? Please be careful!

Six Streets facebook has a post about a black and white car near White St/ Arthur Hind Close. it may be a stray - as it is very skinny - please check the details if you think you have some helpful info.

If you have a white cat and s/he doesn't come home, then it could be the cat that was run over near Wheeldon Ave/ Parkfields Drive. Unfortunately, it died instantly -just now about 12.40, Sunday lunchtime.

The driver is trying to trace the owner by knocking on doors and will send in a photo if he doesn't track owners down.

He did say about ringing the council but as it is a Sunday, doubt they would be there soon and the owners may prefer to take their cat home themselves.